I Directed an Increase in Funding for the Corps on Key Directions and Discussed This With the Command – Address by the President

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I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today, I was in the Donetsk and Dnipro regions, and - most importantly - in the Pokrovsk sector, with those very corps that are doing the crucial work: destroying the occupier, defending Pokrovsk, defending Myrnohrad, defending Dobropillia.

The 1st Corps of the National Guard "Azov" - this is specifically the Dobropillia direction. We also visited, in particular, the 4th Rapid Response Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine "Rubizh," the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces, the 25th Separate Airborne Sicheslav Brigade, and the 414th Separate Unmanned Strike Aviation System Brigade of the AFU "Magyar's Birds." All the commanders of the Unmanned Systems Forces are present. And all of them, together with our other forces, are ensuring the defense of the Pokrovsk areas.

I want to thank every warrior, every unit engaged here and on other parts of the front. Today, I presented awards to the finest warriors - those who distinguished themselves in combat. And as is now traditional, I spoke with brigade commanders about their urgent needs, mostly about drones. This is truly the key component of combat operations right now. There were many-many details, but the main thing is - we need more drones, all types of drones, and independence in drone production, and our own independence, and truly reliable partners for Ukraine. Units have put forward proposals - about contracts: new contracts currently being developed, which will form the foundation of our professional army - and also proposals on procedures within the Armed Forces.

It is good that direct financing to brigades is effective, and units can purchase what they need and produce what they need. I thank all the craftsmen working for our army - we will simplify the procedures we discussed today so it becomes much easier to work with drops and with explosives. I directed an increase in funding for the corps on key directions and discussed this with the command. There are things that still need to be unified - both in production and in procedures, particularly between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and our National Guard. We discussed how recruiting works in detail and how to add more motivation for our warriors. There are many ideas for new weapons development, and right now, the first and main priority is drones. The largest share of funds goes to drones and components, and that is right and necessary. However, we are looking for every way to increase our ability to achieve results. The key task is increasing crews and boosting supplies.

The Russian army has once again been forced to push back the deadlines it had drawn up for itself for capturing our Pokrovsk and our Dobropillia. And every Russian loss in these very areas of the Donetsk region, on the border with our Dnipro region, and also in Kupyansk - every Russian loss - contributes to our ability to defend our state, to protect our people, our independence.

It is symbolic that today we have truly the most positive European Commission report in three years - the strongest result for Ukraine in three years. This gives all of us, all Ukrainians, even more motivation as Europe recognizes our joint efforts. Ukraine is doing everything to gain EU membership. Even in wartime, even amid the toughest battles, our state keeps moving forward - and only forward - in the membership talks, which is absolutely unprecedented across Europe. Every other EU member state has followed a much easier path. And it is crucial that our results are met with proper support in Europe - that the European Union fulfils its commitments. Ukraine is ready to open the clusters, and we need a European decision on this. I want to thank everyone who is truly helping us! I am proud of our people, proud of every single one of our warriors. Thank you!

Glory to Ukraine!